Welcome Baby!

Ainsley Grace Makenna Painter was born Wednesday February 21st at 10:37 am via Cesarean Section. Ainsley weighed in at 6 lbs 12oz and was 19 in long. Baby and Mommy are both home today, resting and recovering just fine.

Here are 3 of my fave photos. I will upload lots more later when I am feeling better! Thanks everyone!

More Gifts

I got some really gorgeous gifts this week from my sweet Scrappy Chatters friends, Joan and Connie Jean! DH took the photos but you can still see how lovely these are!

Joan sent me a gorgeous fleece blanket that she made along with the cutest 2 little sleeper gowns! These are so precious and I will treasure them always! Thank you so much Joan!


And Connie Jean sent me this fabulous quilt she made, I LOVE the colors! Also I got a crib sheet that matches my nursery decor and 2 terrycloth changing pad covers - she also bought me a new changing table pad! You rock Connie Jean!! Thank you!!

38 Weeks

Yesterday was my LAST appt with my OB! Yep LAST one! Baby's heartbeat was great. BP was fine and my weight was 4 pounds less making my total pg weight gain 0 - how crazy is that!! I guess where I have been sick this past week with a sinus infection and now a chest cold and cough. I didn't eat any less than usual though, I don't think.

Anyway I got some more papers to take to the hospital on Tues for my lab work and Wed I will be ready to go! Emira is going with us on Wed then my dad will keep her and get her off to school on thurs and fri. Then fri my mom and grandma are coming up to see the baby from GA. Grandma is going to stay with me for 2 weeks then mom will come back and get her. I am so excited to have her here with me!

How your baby's growing: Your baby has really fattened up. She likely weighs between 6 and 7 1/2 pounds now (boys tend to be slightly heavier than girls), and she's probably between 19 and 20 inches long. She has a firm grasp, which you'll soon be able to test with your pinky! Her organs are fully developed and in place, but her lungs and brain — though developed enough for her to function now — will continue to mature right through childhood.

Wondering what color your baby's eyes will be? You may not be able to tell right away. If your baby is born with brown eyes, they'll likely stay brown. If she's born with steel gray or dark blue eyes, they may stay gray or blue or turn green, hazel, or brown by the time she's 9 months old. That's because a child's irises (the colored part of the eye) may gain more pigment in the months after she's born, but they won't get "lighter" or more blue. (Green, hazel, and brown eyes have more pigment than gray or blue eyes.)

How your life's changing: It may be harder than ever to get comfortable enough to sleep well at night. Take it easy through the day — this may be your last opportunity to do so for quite a while. Keep monitoring your baby's movements, too. Though she's crowded, she should still be active.

Swelling of your feet is normal in these last weeks, but if you notice any swelling of your hands or face, sudden weight gain, persistent or severe headaches, blurry vision or spots before your eyes, or upper abdominal pain, call your practitioner right away, because these are symptoms of a serious condition called preeclampsia.

Encourage your partner to relax and enjoy some activities he won't have time for after the baby arrives. Also, have him check out the inspirational reading section in our bookstore. He might find some good materials for labor day.

3 Questions About... Preparing to breastfeed

Q1. Why is breastfeeding considered the best way to feed a baby?

Breast milk is nature's most perfect food for babies. It contains all the vitamins, nutrients, fats, and immune-boosting properties your baby needs. Dozens of studies have confirmed the benefits of breastfeeding and new ones are published all the time. Here's a look at some of the highlights. Breastfeeding can:
- boost your baby's intelligence.
- protect your baby from diarrhea, respiratory problems, and ear infections.
- reduce your baby's risk for obesity, allergies, and leukemia.
- reduce your stress level and risk of breast cancer.


Q2. What can I do to prepare for breastfeeding?

Many expectant moms wonder if they should somehow toughen up their nipples in preparation for breastfeeding. Unfortunately, that won't help. But you can set yourself up for breastfeeding success by reading about how to breastfeed and learning where to turn for help if the going gets rough. Here are four key things to know:
• Insist that you and your baby have skin-to-skin contact immediately after birth (unless either of you has a medical complication) so you can start breastfeeding as soon as possible. If you have a c-section, ask that your baby join you in the recovery room as soon as your surgery is done.

• Realize that nursing doesn't come naturally to every woman, and if you're feeling discouraged, you're not alone. Get help early while you're still at the hospital or birth center to make sure you and your baby get the hang of breastfeeding before you go home.

• Nurse your newborn eight to 12 times in 24 hours. That's every two to three hours on average, but don't force a schedule. Feed your baby on demand. And unless medically necessary, your baby shouldn't get anything but breast milk until breastfeeding is well established (for the first few weeks at least).

• For more information, see BabyCenter's comprehensive breastfeeding area.

Q3. What's the most common breastfeeding problem and how can I avoid it?

Just because breastfeeding is the most natural way to nourish your baby doesn't mean it's always easy. For many women, breastfeeding can be uncomfortable or even painful at first. Don't suffer in silence. Pain is often an indication that your baby isn't attached to your breast properly (known as latch-on). Her mouth should cover a large part of your areola (the pigmented skin around your nipple) with a bit more of the areola below your nipple in her mouth. Your nipple should be far back in your baby's mouth. If nursing hurts after your baby's first few sucks, break the suction by inserting your little finger between your baby's gums and your nipple — and try again until you find a position that's less painful. Talk to a lactation consultant before you leave the hospital to make sure your baby is latching on to your breast correctly. If your hospital doesn't provide lactation support or you encounter difficulties after leaving the hospital, you can contact La Leche League International for help.

Baby Shower

My baby shower was this past Saturday at my mother-in-laws house. Here is a pic of the invitation.


Here are a few of the good pics of my cake, gifts and of me opening my gifts.






I think we have just about everything we need except a few items I will pick up at walmart with the money we received in cards. I need a diaper bag, nursing pads and cream, a breast pump, crib sheets, carseat carrier cover, a few bottles, a bouncer seat and some pacifiers or "suckies" as we called them when Emira was a baby.

Today I put my pack n play bassinet together, I love this!! Also my car seat carrier and its now ready to be installed in my car. I got all the clothes and blankets from my shower washed and almost put away.

Tues the 20th at 10am I have my PreOp lab work and stuff at the hospital so I will be ready the next morning for my Cesarean. I go back once more to see Dr Webb this wed and that will be it! I am getting so excited!!

37 Weeks

Yesterday I had my weekly drs appt. I seen Dr Webb and it was basically just a routine check up. Weight was down 1 pound, bp was fine. Baby's heartbeat was good and strong. I told him I thought my bp was getting high when I was having BH contractions and he said not to worry about it. I will see him again next week, once more before my C-section on the 21st.

Yesterday when I was leaving the drs office I felt some sharp pains in my back. It got so much worse when I got home and I could barely even walk. It feels the same as when I fell and hurt my back a couple years ago. I guess it could be a pinched nerve or the baby could be laying on a nerve as well. Also today its a bit better but I feel the same pain around the bottom front of my tummy. I spent most of the day in the bed resting and that helped. My contractions aren't really getting stronger so Im not worried about being in labor. But if that happens I will be fine with it.

Lots of thanks go to my sweet friend Connie Jean for the gift! She got me a changing table pad that fits my changing table perfectly! Thanks CJ!! Love ya!!



How your baby's growing: Congratulations! Your pregnancy is now considered full term — meaning your baby is developmentally ready to handle life outside the womb. (Babies born before 37 weeks are pre-term and those born after 42 weeks are post-term.) Your baby probably weighs a little over 6 pounds at this point and measures between 19 and 20 inches, head to heel.

Many babies have a full head of hair at birth, with locks from 1/2 inch to 1 1/2 inches long. But don't be surprised if your baby's hair isn't the same color as yours. Dark-haired couples are sometimes thrown for a loop when their children are born blonds or redheads, and fair-haired couples have been surprised by Elvis look-alikes. And then, of course, some babies sport only peach fuzz.

How your life's changing: The next couple of weeks are a waiting game. Use this time to prepare your baby's nursery or to take care of tasks you may not get around to for a while after your baby's born. Take naps and catch up on your reading while you can.

Have you noticed an increase in the frequency or vividness of dreams lately? Anxiety about becoming a parent can fuel a lot of strange pregnancy dreams.

You may be getting a lot more Braxton Hicks contractions now, and they may last longer and be more uncomfortable. Sometimes — when they start to come frequently — you may even think you're in labor. You might also notice an increase in mucus discharge from your vagina. If you see some "bloody show" (the mucus plug tinged with a tiny amount of blood), labor is probably right around the corner! (If you have other spotting or bleeding, call your caregiver immediately.)

3 Questions About...C-sections

Q1. What are my chances of having a c-section?
One in five first-time pregnant women give birth by cesarean section today, and the vast majority had no idea it was coming. That's why it's important for all women to prepare for the possibility. You may have an unplanned surgical delivery for many reasons, such as if your cervix stops dilating, your baby stops progressing down the birth canal, or there are signs that your placenta is starting to separate from the uterine wall. A planned cesarean may be recommended if:

• You've had invasive uterine surgery, a classical cesarean (vertical incision), or multiple cesarean sections in the past
• Your baby is in a breech (bottom first) or transverse (sideways) position
• You're carrying three or more babies
• You have placenta previa, an outbreak of genital herpes, or worsening preeclampsia, among other conditions.

Q2. What should I expect during a c-section?
Typically, your partner can be with you during most of the preparation for surgery, the surgery itself, and the birth. The nurses will put up a screen so he doesn't have to watch the actual procedure. You'll be given an epidural or spinal block, which will numb the lower half of your body. Your medical team will start an IV and insert a catheter to drain urine during the procedure. The doctor usually makes a small horizontal incision in your skin above your pubic bone. When she reaches your abdominal muscles, she will separate them manually (rather than cutting through them) and spread them to expose what's underneath. Then she'll make a second cut in the lower section of your uterus. The doctor will then ease the baby out, lifting him so you get a glimpse of him before he's handed off to be cared for by a pediatrician or nurse. While the staff is examining your baby, the doctor will deliver your placenta and stitch you back up. When your baby has been examined, the pediatrician or nurse may hand him to your partner, who can hold him right next to you so you can nuzzle and kiss him while you're being stitched up. The incision in your skin may be closed with stitches or staples, which are usually removed three to four days later. Closing your uterus and belly takes a lot longer than opening you up. This part of the surgery usually takes about 30 minutes or more.

Q3. How can I expect to feel after a c-section?
If you had general anesthesia, you'll feel groggy and possibly nauseated. Within 24 hours after surgery, you'll be helped out of bed and asked to move around. This will help your circulation and greatly decrease your chance of getting blood clots. Be sure to get adequate pain medication so that you can move around, sit, and nurse comfortably. After 24 hours, you'll be relieved of your IV and urinary catheter and be able to eat very bland, mild foods, if you want them. Within two to four days, your sutures, staples, or clamps will likely be removed and you'll probably be allowed to go home.

36 Weeks

I saw Dr. Webb today. He will be performing my cesarean so my regular dr suggested I start seeing him. I did manage to gain 3 lbs this week - there went my no gain streak! My bp was 110/80. Baby's heartbeat was good and strong. Also I had to have a strepB swab.

I had to sign a consent form for my c-section and went into his office to sign it. There we talked about all my concerns for the surgery. He said I could tell the nurse to wait and put my catheter in after my spinal if I felt better about it. He also told me what pain meds he would use for the first 24 hrs after surgery. I told him I had demoral with my first one and it didn't work and they had given me another one that made me hallucinate - and that I didn't want that again. He said if the demoral didn't help he would increase the dosage til it did. He did say they would use pitocin after the surgery much to my dismay :( Hate that stuff!

So after all was said and done, I was scheduled at the hospital for Wed Feb 21st to have my baby. He said most likely I would be the first that day and that would be at 8am. I will have to go in to the hospital a couple days before to do my lab and paper work. I told him I would continue to see him for my next few appts as well. I will go back on Wed the 7th for my next appt.

Here are some belly pics I took today. As you can see baby is all up top. All those stretch marks are from my first pregnancy, so far I haven't got any new marks from this baby. I really hate that my belly isn't round but oh well that is just the bad part about still having the belly from your first baby - even though that was almost 7 yrs ago LOL.



How your baby's growing: Your baby is still putting on the pounds — about an ounce a day. She now weighs almost 6 pounds and is a little less than 19 inches long. She's shedding most of the downy covering of hair that covered her body as well as the vernix caseosa, the creamy substance that covered and protected her skin during its submersion in amniotic fluid. Your baby swallows both of these substances, along with other secretions, which will stay in her bowels until birth. This blackish mixture, called meconium, will become her first bowel movement.

At the end of this week, your baby will be considered full-term. (Babies between 37 and 42 weeks are considered full-term; a baby born before 37 weeks is pre-term and after 42 is post-term.) Most likely she's in a head-down position by now, which is optimal for a smooth delivery, but if she isn't in the next week, your provider may suggest scheduling an "external cephalic version," which is a fancy way of saying she'll try to coax your baby into a head-down position manually, by manipulating her from the outside of your belly.

How your life's changing: While your baby continues to grow and crowd your internal organs, you may find that you're not as hungry as you were a few weeks ago. Smaller, more frequent meals are often easier to handle at this point. On the other hand, you may have less heartburn and have an easier time breathing when your baby starts to drop down lower in your pelvis. This dropping — called lightening or engagement — is more likely to happen before labor if this is your first baby. When it does, though, you may feel increased pressure in your lower abdomen, making walking increasingly uncomfortable. Some women say it feels as though they're carrying a bowling ball between their legs, or as if the baby is going to fall out. (Don't worry, she won't!)

You might also notice that your Braxton Hicks contractions are a little more frequent now. Be sure to review with your practitioner exactly when and where to call her when you think your labor has started. As a general rule, you should call when you start having regular contractions coming every five minutes for about an hour. Of course, you'll want to call right away if you're not yet 37 weeks and have signs of preterm labor. You should also call without delay if your water breaks (or if you even think you're leaking amniotic fluid), if you notice a decrease in your baby's activity, or if you have any vaginal bleeding, fever, severe headaches, abdominal pain, or changes in your vision.

Even if you're enjoying an uncomplicated pregnancy, it's best to avoid flying during your final month, when you're more likely to go into labor. In fact, many airlines won't let women on board who are due to deliver within seven or sometimes 30 days of the flight.